“What happened?” Those were Mix’s words to his friend as soon as he stepped foot in the sanctuary, early in the morning. He had no time to mind Book’s suspicious look at him knowing Spring was behind.
“I'll explain to you later. Kailangan mo munang pumasok sa loob.” He nodded and glanced at Spring who only smiled. Quickly, he walked with his friend whose eyes seemed to be teasing him. “Ano ito, comeback?” Book whispered and laughed when he glared.
“Kinausap ni Papa si Spring kagabi kung pwede raw na sumabay na lang ako papunta rito. Pumayag siyang ihatid ako, ‘walang malisya roon,” Mix said to defend himself. He even told his father last night that there’s no need to but Spring insisted since he also had to go the same way to work. It’s not like he begged for it because in this situation, all that’s left in him was pride. “So, what happened here, actually? Ang aga mong tumawag kaninang umaga.”
Book sighed. His troublesome eyes spoke for itself. Dahil halos sanay na ang lahat na segu-segundo siyang ngumingiti, nakakapanibago ang seryoso niyang ekspresyon. “The boys from column writing, including one from feature writing, ‘yong mga secondary, lumabas kagabi, pumunta sa bayan.”
Mix didn’t have to say anything. The way his eyes went wide was already enough. With that, he walked faster to the hall, only to see how Yuriel was scolding the students. Apparently, his friend wasn’t pinpointing those who broke the rules and his words were generally for all. But deep inside, his patience was about to end.
“I did not expected too much from all of you. Because that’s what drives people to nothing, in general. When you expect too much from someone, you’re not only pressuring them, but you’re also making yourself a fool,” Yuriel said, his eyes wandering around. “I also won’t compare my time to yours, kasi malay ko ba kung ano ang dahilan niyo sa mga aksyon niyo. But since I know that you guys won’t let your guards down, I won’t put the blame on your seniors.”
Mix and Book glanced at each other. This wasn’t good. Yuriel is the kind of guy who stands up for his pride and if in any case that he’d lower his conceit for someone else, he'd make sure that he'd still be the one to laugh last. The situation will be hard for them knowing that those students pushed their friend to his limits.
“I will turn things around for you. Let’s just say that we went easy on you guys yesterday. Since we’re just college graduates who had no experience on training students, it is our fault for not doing our best. Siguro ay nagkamali ang superintendent sa pagpili sa amin, maging ang mga principals at advisers n’yo sa pagtitiwala sa amin.” Mix sighed. There it is. “With that, please be assured that we, your trainers, will take this seriously. Therefore, I hope you’ll be mindful on the following days. That’s all.”
The students were even silent when Yuriel walked out of the hall with a straight face, his eyes were cold as ever. Rain approached Book and Mix, saying, “There will be changes on the assigned trainers. May meeting sa taas, mauna na kayo.”
•••
“Don’t you think we’re being a bit too harsh, Yu?” Mix asked, looking at his friend. It was already lunch time but he was waiting for him so they can both come down. Apparently, Yuriel was taking a lot of time writing something on his notebook so it was a perfect time for him to talk. “I mean, they probably had a reason why they went pass the townscape, right?”
Yuriel stopped writing, sighed and rested his head on the pillow near the headboard. “I actually wanted this to pass. You know I don’t like wasting my time on things that I’m not even sure will work out,” he explained. “Pero ayoko namang hayaan na lang. I admit that I cannot be someone’s role model. I’m impatient, most of the times, ferocious, plus people are always intimated by me but I won’t tolerate things that I know are wrong. Kahit iyon na lang.”
Mix flashed a warm smile and tapped his friend’s shoulder. “Tangina, Yu, ikaw pa ba ‘yan? Bakit ang laki na ng pinagbago mo?”
Yuriel chuckled, saying, “Well, do you expect me to sit on my damn chair at school for years, only to dwell at my same old self? People are constantly seeking for change, you know.”
For a second, Mix went quiet. He cleared his throat and uttered, “Speaking of..” He paused, seemingly finding the right words to say. “Ang laki na rin ng pinagbago ni Spring, ano?” He smiled as if mentioning that name didn’t affect him though it obviously did. It wasn’t that he was jealous of how his ex-boyfriend looked over with everything that has happened. It’s just that, he found himself pathetic.
“You already met him?”
“Mmm.” He nodded. “Mukhang sobrang close na nila ni Papa, nakakapanibago.”
“Actually, Spring had to work for your family on the past years. Months after you left, he enrolled in senior high school and took the exam for overage students. Everyone was shocked when he made it to college. He quit driving and looked for part-time jobs,” Yuriel exultantly said. He seemed to be proud of the person he was talking about as Mix felt his heart flinch. “Your father was the one who hired him. He worked his ass off and look at him now, he’s changed for the better.”
“I saw his house yesterday. And he also had a car?”
Yuriel nodded. “Iyong kotse.. graduation gift sa kaniya ni Kuya Kai. About his house, well, he won in an art contest three years ago. Nagtaka nga kami kung bakit nagpagawa siya ng bahay. Dapat ay ipinangbayad na lamang niya sa tuition fee though afford na naman ‘yon ni Tito kasi may trabaho na siya.”